by Lynn Nadler

As anyone who follows real estate knows ,there's a big difference between colors you use in your home when you're decorating versus colors you use when you're selling.  These color trends are more appropriate for those of you who are decorating to stay in your home for a while.

According to the people who look for trends in decorating, the trends for 2011 in color appear to be vibrant colors such as purple, red, green and orange.

---Purple--this color was a trend in 2010 as well, but suggestions are that this years purple will be more of a natural purple like a berry or more towards the gray/blue shade.

---Red--more of a cherry red, as an accent not a whole wall and paired with cornflower blue or faded blue denim

---Green--closer to the color of lettuce than a lime green with suggestions of pairing with a neutral as green can be quite intense

---Orange--more burnt orange than a tangerine orange with suggestions of pairing with warmer, earthier tones

---Neutrals--always great but the trend for 2011 is more towards charcoal gray/faded black, off-white or linen.

Just an overview of what is happening this year in color.  Stop by your local paint store and see all they great colors that are out there for your home!